Thumb rest mechanism for firearms

ABSTRACT

A thumb rest mechanism for a firearm having a frame, providing a thumb rest mount secured to the frame and having a mount member defining a mount surface. A thumb rest being releasably secured to the mount member in engagement with the mount surface and having a thumb engaging surface oriented at a suitable angle for recoil resisting engagement by the thumb of a firearm user and being of roughened character for non-slip engagement by the thumb of the firearm user. A protective plate extending from the thumb rest a protecting the users thumb from contact and potential damage by a moveable firearm component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to firearms and more particularly to mechanical features that assist firearm users with safe and secure means for physically supporting a firearm and facilitating its simple and efficient use for accurate marksmanship. More particularly, this invention concerns handgrip apparatus that provides and efficient rest that is engaged by the thumb of a user's shooting hand to facilitate more efficient support of a firearm by the hand of a user and thereby enhance the user's capability for comfortable support of the firearm during its use. This invention also concerns firearms, particularly handguns having a thumb rest mechanism incorporating a base structure that is mounted directly to a firearm and a thumb rest device that is received by the base structure and provides the user with the capability for selecting from a variety of thumb rest devices and tailoring the firearm to the user's specific needs.

Description of the Prior Art

Many different types of firearms, including shoulder fired guns and handguns are provided with geometric apparatus that is configured to provide users with the capability to comfortably support and handle a firearm and to achieve simple and efficient aiming and shooting capability. In the case of handguns, particularly 1911 A1 handguns that were the standard issue handguns of the United States military for many years, and are being manufactured and sold at the present time, the handgrip portion is composed of metal, typically steel, and is integral with the frame structure. Originally hand engaging filler pieces or scales were composed of wood and were attached to the handgrip portion by means of mounting screws. More recently, handgrip scales for 1911 A1 handguns have been made of molded polymer material with a small thumb rest projection molded on it. Such molded handgrip scales have been manufactured for right-handed and left-handed handgun users, but molded components, such as hand and finger fitting geometry and thumb rests are virtually nonexistent or are too small to be of any significant use.

Competitive firearm users often have the need or desire to change firearm components and achieve a different “feel” when supporting a firearm such as a handgun for match shooting activity. It is desirable, therefore, to provide firearm components of differing design, to thus enable firearm users to change their firearm to enable the users to accomplish more effective firearm support and more efficient and accurate shooting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal feature of the present invention to provide a novel thumb rest mechanism for firearms that provides a user, particularly a firearm competitive match shooter, with the capability for efficiently and comfortably manually supporting a firearm during a competitive match

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a novel thumb rest mechanism for handguns, that provides thumb rest components of differing design to provide handgun users with the capability of assembling thumb rest components of differing size and design so that users may assemble the components on a trial and error basis to achieve assembly of a thumb rest mechanism of preferable configuration and to provide a thumb rest mechanism that can be changed from time to time as differing shooting needs arise.

Briefly, the various objects and features of the present invention are realized through the provision of a thumb rest mechanism for firearms, particularly for handguns, having a first portion or thumb rest mount that is affixed substantially immovably to a firearm and a second section or thumb rest that is secured substantially immovably to the first section or thumb rest mount. The thumb rest mount is releasably secured to a frame or other immovable structure of the firearm, such as by means of retainer screws, thus permitting the thumb rest mount to be secured to conventional firearms and permitting the thumb rest mechanism to be easily removable from the firearm if desired.

Either the thumb rest mount or the thumb rest is machined to define a non-circular pocket or receptacle. The other of the thumb rest mount and the thumb rest is machined to define a matching non-circular projection that is received within the non-circular pocket or receptacle during assembly to establish a non-rotatable connection between the thumb rest mount and the thumb rest. The non-circular pocket may be formed in either the thumb rest mount or thumb rest and the matching non-circular projection may be provided on either the thumb rest mount or thumb rest within the spirit and scope of the present invention. If desired the thumb rest may be provided with a thumb restraining flange member to ensure that the shock of gun firing will prevent the users thumb from becoming dislodged from the thumb rest especially during rapid firing activity. The thumb restraining flange effectively prevents contact of the users thumb with the reciprocating slide member of a 1911 A1 handgun as the handgun is fired and thus prevent possible injury to the users hand.

In one form of this invention, a thumb rest member is mounted non-rotatably to a mount platform of a thumb rest mount. It should be borne in mind that any of a number of rotation inhibiting features may be employed to ensure a substantially immoveable and non-rotatable relationship of the thumb rest member relative to the mount platform. For example the thumb rest member may be connected in a rotation inhibiting manner by an overhanging ledge and screw, by a pin and screw (off center), by two pins or two screws, a round receptacle with an offset screw of any combination of devices that control rotation or orientation of the thumb rest member and mounting platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the appended drawings, which drawings are incorporated as a part hereof.

It is to be noted however, that the appended drawings illustrate only a typical embodiment of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration showing a rear portion of the frame of a handgun having many of the characteristics of a 1911 A1 military handgun and having a trigger, trigger guard and handgrip and further showing a sight mount secured to the frame and also showing an embodiment of a thumb rest device embodying the principles of the present invention being releasably secured to the frame and/or sight mount of the firearm;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric illustration showing an alternative embodiment of this invention having a thumb rest mount and showing a thumb rest member in spaced relation with the thumb rest mount and having a non-circular projection disposed for engagement within a matching non-circular pocket or receptacle of the thumb rest mount and further showing a protective flange extending in generally perpendicular relation with the thumb engaging surface of the thumb rest;

FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration showing the connected relation of the thumb rest mount and thumb rest of FIG. 2 in preparation for attachment of the thumb rest assembly with the handgun by means of retainer screws;

FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration showing the connection flange of the thumb rest mount of FIG. 2 and showing a non-circular pocket or receptacle within which the non-circular projection of FIG. 2 is received when the thumb rest is assembled to the thumb rest mount; and

FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration showing the reverse side of the thumb rest mechanism 60 as compared with the illustration of FIG. 3

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 , the rear portion of a handgun is shown generally at 10 and has a handgun frame 12 to which a slide member 14 is mounted for reciprocating movement. A handgrip 16 projects downwardly from the frame 12 and defines a magazine well, not shown, within which a magazine containing ammunition cartridges is releasably secured. A trigger guard 18 is integral with or assembled to the handgun frame 12 and a trigger member, a portion of which is shown at 20 is manually moved to achieve firing of the handgun.

Although 1911 A1 semi-automatic cartridge gas actuated handguns typically are not provided with sight mounts for electronic sights such as shown generally at 22 in FIG. 1 , the handgun 10 is intended to be sold as a highly accurate match grade handgun for use by match competitors as well as for use by any handgun shooter that is interested in precision handgun shooting activities. A sight mount, shown generally at 24 in FIG. 1 , is provided with a pair of generally parallel side pieces 26 and 28 which are secured to the frame structure of the handgun by means of retainer screws 30. A sight mount plate 32, which can be defined by bending plate metal to form the generally parallel side pieces 26 and 28 extending downwardly from opposite sides of the sight mount plate 32. When the sight mount is secured to the handgun frame the mount plate 32 will be oriented generally horizontally when the handgun is held normally for shooting. The electronic sight 22 is simply mounted to the mount plate 32, such as by means of retainer screws, mechanical clamps or by any other suitable retainer apparatus.

During handgun shooting activities torque forces and muzzle rise forces as well as rearwardly directed forces are transmitted from a handgun to the hand or hands of a user. Especially when high velocity ammunition loads are fired by a handgun these forces can made a handgun difficult to hold and accomplish effective match grade shooting. Handgrip scales, especially those composed of molded polymer material have been made with small projections that serve to some extent as thumb rests and provide ergonomic surfaces that fit the hand and fingers of a user. However, the thumb of the shooters hand is critically important for adequate support of a 1911 A1 style handgun especially during rapid fire match shooting activities that cause the recoil forces of a handgun to be repetitively transmitted to the hand of the user. There is a need, therefore, for a thumb rest that is not associated with the handgrip of a handgun and is oriented for efficient engagement by the thumb of a user and positioned for efficient resistance to the recoil forces of a handgun.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the handgun 10 is provided with a removable thumb rest device, shown generally at 40, which is removably mounted to the handgun frame 12 by means of the retainer screws 30. In view of the presence of the side pieces 26 and 28 of the sight mount 24, the retainer screws also extend through the side piece 26 and into the handgun frame 12. In the event a sight mount is not assembled to the handgun, the retainer screws will be threaded directly into the handgun frame for retention of the thumb rest device 40.

Thumb rest device 40 has oppositely projecting retainer plate members 42 and 44 which are oriented in substantially parallel relation with the handgun frame or the side plate member 26 and define receptacles for retainer screws. A tubular mount support 46 extends laterally from the retainer plate members 42 and 44 and receives a retainer screw member 48 that is also engaged within an internally threaded screw receptacle and further serves to secure the thumb rest device 40 to the frame of the handgun 10. The tubular mount support is integral with the retainer plate members 42 and 44 and is strengthened by additional metal 50 to resist bending or other deformation by recoil forces of the handgun. A thumb rest plate or section 52 is defined by the thumb rest device 40 and has a thumb engaging surface 54 that is oriented in an angular fashion that suits the user. The thumb engaging surface may have any of a number of surface designs to minimize the possibility that the thumb might be caused to slip off the thumb engaging surface and compromise the users firm and sure support and control of the handgun even during rapid fire shooting activity. By providing thumb rest devices having a variety of surface designs and a selection of differing thumb rest angles, users have the capability to tailor the fit and feel of the thumb rest mechanism to their individual needs and desires by selectively assembling thumb rest components.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 , a thumb rest mechanism shown generally at 60 incorporates a thumb rest mount, shown generally at 62 and a thumb rest member, shown generally at 64 which, as shown in FIG. 3 are assembled in substantially immoveable relation with one another. The thumb rest mount has a mount base member 66 which is generally in the form of a mount plate having retainer openings 68 and 70 that receive retainer screws such as shown at 30 in FIG. 1 which secure the mount plate in releasable relation with the frame of the firearm. The mount plate 66 is mounted directly to the frame of the handgun or is mounted to the handgun frame through a side plate 26 of the sight mount 40 as discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 . Mount plate 66 defines a substantially straight lower edge 72 that is typically oriented in parallel relation with the bottom edge of the handgun frame, though alternative orientation of the mount plate can be employed without changing its use.

Mount plate 66 is provided with a mount platform 74 that extends from an integral connecting web structure 75. The mount platform 74 is oriented in generally perpendicular relation with the mount plate and defines a generally planar mounting surface 76 that is engaged by a corresponding generally planar surface 78 of the thumb rest member 64. The mount platform 74 is provided with a retainer screw receptacle 80 through which a retainer screw of the type shown at 30 is extended. On the opposite side of the mount platform 74 from the retainer screw receptacle 80 is defined a non-circular receptacle 82 as shown in FIG. 4 . Though the non-circular receptacle 82 is shown as being of generally square or rectangular configuration with rounded corners 84 and having a screw hole 86 centrally thereof, the non-circular receptacle can have any suitable form other than circular. The non-circular receptacle 82 is shown of generally square configuration but it may be of rectangular configuration, oval configuration or of any other configuration that will prevent rotation of the thumb rest 64 about the mounting hole 92. This feature ensures greater rigidity and stability of the thumb rest assembly and minimizes the possibility of movement of the thumb rest member 64 relative to the thumb rest mount 62.

The thumb rest member 64 defines a non-circular projection 88 that extends beyond the generally planar surface 78 and is of a substantially matching configuration as compared with the non-circular receptacle 82 of the mount platform 74. When the thumb rest member 64 is assembled to the mount platform 74 the non-circular projection 88 is engaged within the non-circular receptacle 82 and ensures a non-rotatable relation between the mount platform 74 and the thumb rest member 64. The screw hole opening 86 in the thumb rest member is tapered as shown at 90 to establish a surface-to-surface engagement with the tapered head of a retainer screw. Also, a screw receptacle 92 that is located centrally of the non-circular projection 88 is internally threaded to receive a retainer screw that secures the thumb rest member 64 to the mount platform 74 and when the retainer screw is tightened, draws the substantially planar surfaces 76 and 78 into surface-to-surface engagement for support and mechanical stability relative to the firearm.

Thumb rest member 64 defines an inclined thumb engaging surface 94 that is positioned for engagement by the thumb of a handgun user and is disposed at an angular position to be comfortably engaged by the thumb of the user when the thumb rest assembly is mounted to the frame of a handgun. The tapered surface may have any suitable taper for the satisfaction of the user. The user may be provided with a number of different thumb rest members 64 each having a thumb engaging surface of a different angle, to permit a user to select a thumb rest member having a thumb engaging surface of a desired angle for the users comfort.

The thumb engaging surface 94 may be machined or otherwise formed to have a desired surface configuration for the preference of the user. A variety of the thumb rest members 64 may be provided, each having a different surface configuration, permitting users to select one or more of the thumb rest members having a particular surface configuration for trial use if desired and thereby provide a thumb rest mechanism that is tailored to the needs and desires of the user.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 , it is desirable that specific portions of the thumb rest mechanism 60 have clearance with respect to the frame of the firearm or the side plate 26 of the sight mount if a sight mount of the character shown in FIG. 1 is provided. This feature is accomplished by making the lower portion of the mount plate 66 of greater thickness as compared with the web structure 75, thereby defining an elongate shoulder 77, best shown in FIG. 5 , that has the effect of positioning parallel or co-planar surfaces 79 and 81 of the connecting web structure 75 and thumb rest member in spaced relation with the firearm structure to which the thumb rest assembly is mounted. Thus, in the event the firearm is of the 1911 A1 variety the slide member, which reciprocates during firing activity, will be separated from the thumb rest mechanism 60 by the space that is defined by the additional thickness of the lower portion of the mount plate 66 which establishes the width of the elongate shoulder 77 and cannot be contacted and possibly damaged by the slide member of a handgun. Additional protection from possible contact and damage by a moving slide member of a handgun is provided by a thumb protection plate member 96 that is integral with and projects from the thumb rest member 64. The slide member of an automatic or semi-automatic handgun is moved rearwardly with considerable force and velocity as an ammunition round is fired and is then moved forwardly with considerable force and velocity by the return spring. Thus, it is important to protect the shooter from injury by movement of the slide member. Thumb protection plate member 96 is fairly thin as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , because very light lateral force, if any, is applied to it by the user's thumb during shooting activity.

In view of the foregoing it is evident that the present invention is one well adapted to attain all of the objects and features hereinabove set forth, together with other objects and features which are inherent in the apparatus disclosed herein.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

I claim:
 1. A thumb rest for a firearm having a frame, comprising: a thumb rest mount; retainer means securing said thumb rest mount to said frame of said firearm; and a thumb rest member being provided on said thumb rest mount and defining a thumb rest surface for engagement by the thumb of the firearm supporting hand of a user.
 2. The thumb rest of claim 1, comprising: said thumb rest mount being of elongate configuration and having a plurality of retainer openings therein; said retainer means being retainer screws extending through said retainer openings and being threaded into said frame of said firearm; a mounting projection extending laterally from said thumb rest mount and defining a retainer passage; a retainer screw extending through said retainer passage and being threaded into said frame of said firearm; and a thumb rest platform extending from said mounting projection and defining a slip resistant thumb rest surface oriented for engagement by the thumb of a user of said firearm.
 3. The thumb rest of claim 1, comprising: said thumb rest mount having a mount platform defining a first non-circular geometry; said thumb rest member defining a second non-circular geometry having rotation inhibiting engagement with said first non-circular geometry; and a retainer member securing said thumb rest member in rotation inhibiting engagement with said mount platform.
 4. The thumb rest of claim 1, comprising: said thumb rest mount having a base structure defining retainer openings through which retainer members extend to secure said base structure to said frame of said firearm; a web member extending from said base structure; a mount platform being supported by said web member and having a retainer receptacle; and said thumb rest member being secured to said mount platform by a retainer member engaging said retainer receptacle and said mount platform.
 5. The thumb rest of claim 4, comprising: said mount platform having a non-circular receptacle defining said first rotation resisting geometry; said thumb rest member having a non-circular projection defining said second rotation resisting geometry being received in rotation resisting engagement within said non-circular receptacle when said thumb rest member is secured to said mount platform; and a slip resistant thumb engaging surface being defined by said thumb rest member and being oriented at an inclined position for the comfort of the thumb of a user's firearm supporting hand.
 6. The thumb rest of claim 3, comprising: said thumb rest mount having a mount plate defining retainer receptacles through which retainer screws extend and retain said thumb rest mount in substantially immoveable relation with said frame; a web structure extending from said mount plate; said mount platform being supported by said web structure; and said thumb rest member being secured in substantially immoveable relation with said mount platform and having a slip resistant surface positioned and oriented for engagement by the thumb of the firearm user.
 7. The thumb rest of claim 6, comprising: said mount platform being integral with said web structure and being oriented in substantially perpendicular relation with said web structure and defining a substantially planar mounting surface; and said thumb rest member defining a substantially planar surface having surface-to-surface contact with said substantially planar mounting surface of said mount platform.
 8. The thumb rest of claim 1, comprising: a thumb protection plate member extending from said thumb rest member and being oriented to prevent contact of a user's thumb with and preventing potential injury to the thumb of the firearm user by a moveable component of said firearm.
 9. The thumb rest of claim 8, comprising: said base structure having a greater thickness as compared with the thickness of said web member positioning said web member and said thumb rest member in spaced relation with said frame of said firearm to protect the user from injury by a moving part of said firearm.
 10. The thumb rest of claim 4, comprising: said mount platform defining a non-circular receptacle and having a retainer receptacle intersecting said non-circular receptacle; said thumb rest member having a non-circular projection being engaged within said non-circular receptacle and establishing a non-rotatable relation between said mount platform and said thumb rest member; and a retainer member being located within said retainer receptacle and being engaged within said non-circular projection and securing said thumb rest member in substantially non-rotatable assembly with said mount platform.
 11. The thumb rest of claim 3, comprising: said thumb rest mount defining a generally planar mounting surface engaging said frame of said firearm and being releasably secured to said frame of said firearm by retainers; said thumb rest member having a substantially planar surface disposed in surface-to-surface engagement with said generally planar mounting surface of said mount platform; and said mount plate defining a frame engaging surface protruding toward and mounted to said frame of said firearm and positioning said web structure and said thumb rest member in spaced relation with said frame of said firearm.
 12. The thumb rest of claim 11, comprising: said thumb rest member being releasably and non-rotatably secured to said mount platform and having a slip-resistant thumb engaging surface oriented for comfortable recoil force resisting engagement by the thumb of the firearm support hand of a firearm user.
 13. A thumb rest for a firearm having a frame, comprising: a mount base defining a mount surface for engagement with said frame of said firearm and having retainer receptacles receiving retainer members releasably securing said mount plate to said to said frame of said firearm; a web structure being integral with said mount plate; a mount platform being integral with said web structure and defining a mount support surface; and a thumb rest member being releasably and non-rotatably secured to said mount platform and having a thumb engaging surface oriented for comfortable recoil force resisting engagement by the thumb of the firearm support hand of a firearm user.
 14. The thumb rest of claim 13, comprising: said thumb engaging surface of said thumb rest member being of roughened slip-resistant character minimizing the potential for slippage of the user's thumb by recoil force as the firearm is discharged.
 15. The thumb rest mechanism of claim 13, comprising: a non-circular receptacle being defined in said mount platform and a retainer opening being defined in said non-circular receptacle; a non-circular projection matching the geometry of said non-circular receptacle extending from said thumb rest member and being in rotation resisting engagement within said non-circular receptacle and preventing relative rotational movement of said mount platform and thumb rest member; and a retainer member extending through said retainer opening and securing said non-circular projection within said non-circular receptacle and securing said thumb rest member in supported relation with said mount platform.
 16. The thumb rest of claim 13, comprising: a retainer opening being defined by said mount platform and being located within said non-circular receptacle; a retainer receptacle being defined within said non-circular projection; and a retainer member being extended through said retainer opening into said retainer receptacle and securing said thumb rest member in substantially immoveable assembly with said mount platform.
 17. The thumb rest mechanism of claim 16, comprising: said mount platform having a substantially planar mount surface; said non-circular receptacle intersecting said substantially planar mount surface; said thumb rest member defining a substantially planar surface disposed in surface-to-surface engagement with said substantially planar mount surface; and said non-circular projection extending beyond said substantially planar surface and into said non-circular receptacle.
 18. A thumb rest for a handgun having a frame, comprising: a mounting plate defining retainer openings receiving retainer screws that engage within screw holes of said frame and secure said mounting plate in immovable relation with said frame of said handgun; a web structure being integral with said mounting plate and having a mount platform being integral with said web structure; a thumb rest member being secured to said mount platform by a retainer member extending through said mount platform; and a portion of said mounting plate projecting toward said frame of said handgun and maintaining said web structure and said thumb rest member in spaced relation with said frame of said handgun.
 19. The thumb rest of claim 18, comprising: a non-circular receptacle being defined in said mount platform; a non-circular projection extending from said thumb rest member and being of substantially matching cross sectional dimension and configuration as said non-circular receptacle and being in seated rotation inhibiting relation within said non-circular receptacle by said retainer member; and a retainer member extending through said mounting platform and into said non-circular projection and when tightened securing said non-circular projection within said non-circular receptacle.
 20. The thumb rest of claim 18, comprising: a thumb protection member extending from said thumb rest member and being oriented to prevent contact of a firearm user's thumb by a moveable component of said firearm during firing activity of said firearm. 